Gravity Enduro SA - Eagle MTB Park -

Yay bikes! It was Eagle for round 2 of the Gravity Enduro Series in South Australia.

The long weekend, combined with Mother Nature throwing a helping hand, meant that round 2 of the South Australian Gravity Enduro Series was going to be a banger! The volunteers had the 5 stages groomed and bunted in preparation for go time on Sunday, a quick briefing and racing was under way.

Khe Sanh is always a crowd favourite...! But seriously thanks to the volunteers that put events around the country together! — Khe Sanh is always a crowd favourite…! But seriously thanks to the volunteers that put events around the country together!

The track builders for this round had plenty of different tracks to play with. Eagle is not sure on technical features either, overall riders were commentating on how much they loved the mix.

The tight and technical corners on 'North Face' had riders dabbing feet and finding the 'right line'. — The tight and technical corners on ‘North Face’ had riders dabbing feet and finding the ‘right line’.

With local Troy Brosnan back from his highly successful overseas campaign the competition really got kicked up a notch but there were some fast locals in the mix! First of all though the Elite Women and wow the competition was good with riders pushing each other and looking deadly fast every time they blasted past us. In the end Jackie Schapel had the skills and speed to take the win. For the Elite Men it was Troy Brosnan who edged out Dave West by 6 seconds that is basically one second per stage, close just how we like it!

Dropping in on the 'Mixer' for the last stage of the day, Troy Brosnan took the win by 6 seconds. — Dropping in on the ‘Mixer’ for the last stage of the day, Troy Brosnan took the win by 6 seconds.

Elite Men.

1. Troy Brosnan

2. Dave West

3. Cam Ryan

4. Craig Yates

5. C Felix

Elite Women:

1. Jackie Schapel

2. Therese Rodes

3. Anna Puck

4. Phippa Rosten

For the next part of the report we thought we would get two different views of the weekends proceedings! It shows just how from Elite to a more relaxed category can still have fun but don’t take our word for it;

Cal McCartney – Expert Rider

“Competition seems a lot more competitive since last season. I seriously thought the course was fantastic. A perfect mix of long and short stages along with techy, flowy and jumps trails made for great racing. Probably couldn’t come up with a better course if I tried. Hats off to the organisers for sure. The event was well organised, ran smoothly and the weather couldn’t have been better!”

The plate everyone wants... — The plate everyone wants…

Dave West – Elite Men:

Day was good all round. Weather was rad, racing ran smooth, volunteers and hecklers were nice and vocal! I liked the variation in the stages, and glad a version of the DH course was in there! Conditions were obviously loose, plenty of sliding went down. Regretting I didn’t buy one of those burgers, they smelt amazing! Always happy to come second to Troy, particularly by a relatively small margin. Only downside for me yesterday was Andy wrecking his shoulder ;-( “

Dave West grabbed second just behind Troy Brosnan.

This rock section caught some riders out, healing vibes to everyone that became a cropper. As Dave mentioned earlier Andy Clarke popped his shoulder out over this feature.

The spirit of Enduro! A crashed rider getting assistance from the competitor behind him.

There were all types of spectators on the hill for a look!

Head down getting the job done, Cam Ryan in third!

Some riders donned the full face for the whole race, some just for the stages that used the downhill track which the National Championships were held on a few years ago.

Jackie Schapel, Elite Women's winner! — Jackie Schapel, Elite Women’s winner!

The day ran well and riders were leaving appropriate gaps, etc.

The World Enduro Series finals was held over the same weekend so it was a very enduro feel even if they were half way around the world away.

Happy days all around! Kaneo Photo was stoked as always.

The next race heads to Fox Creek see you there!

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